President Trump fired back at his former lawyer Michael Cohen's claim that Trump knew about the infamous June 2016 Russia meeting in advance. http://bit.ly/2vc3Knw

He tweeted: "I did NOT know of the meeting with my son, Don jr. Sounds to me like someone is trying to make up stories in order to get himself out of an unrelated jam (Taxi cabs maybe?). He even retained Bill and Crooked Hillary's lawyer. Gee, I wonder if they helped him make the choice!"

Why did Trump mention taxi cabs?: That remark "refers to Cohen's ownership of taxi medallions required to operate yellow taxis in New York City, which federal investigators are reportedly examining."

HOW RUDY GIULIANI REACTED: President Trump's attorney Rudy Giuliani lashed out at Cohen, calling him a "pathological liar." Giuliani said, "He's been lying all week, he's been lying for years."

AN INTERESTING ANGLE: The Hill's Amie Parnes explores whether Democrats should play up President Trump's relationship with Russia in the midterms. http://bit.ly/2vcxQrh

It's the last Friday in July -- yikes! I'm Cate Martel with a quick recap of the morning and what's coming up. Send comments, story ideas and events for our radar to cmartel@thehill.com, @CateMartel and on Facebook.

THE OTHER BIG STORY THIS MORNING

Today in presidential victory laps: The U.S. economy expanded at a 4.1 percent rate from April to June, the Commerce Department announced. Why this is big: This is the highest level in almost four years. "The gross domestic product (GDP) report was the strongest since the third quarter of 2014, when growth hit 5.2 percent."

LIVESTREAM OF TRUMP'S REMARKS: President Trump delivered remarks after the GDP news to tout his economic policies. Livestream:http://bit.ly/2LXr4Nn

IN OTHER NEWS

Welcome. You must try a pirozhki: The White House said President Trump is "open" to visiting Russia. But: Only if Trump receives an official invitation from Russian President Vladimir Putin. White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders also added: "Trump looks forward to having President Putin to Washington after the first of the year." http://bit.ly/2OnQDc3

BACK STORY: The statement came after Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed he had invited President Trump to Moscow for another meeting. Via Sky News, Putin said Trump already has the invite. As for the invitation to the White House?: Yes, Putin also said he is "ready to go to Washington." http://bit.ly/2Af6XJ7

Trump thanks Kim Jong Un for returning soldiers' remains:

President Trump thanked North Korean leader Kim Jong Un for returning the remains of U.S. soldiers killed in the Korean War. In Trump's words: "I want to thank Chairman Kim for keeping his word. We have many others coming, but I want to thank Chairman Kim in front of the media for fulfilling a promise he made to me. And I'm sure he will continue to fulfill that promise as they search and search and search." http://bit.ly/2LCSUl3

Attention, Uber and Lyft passengers:

Via The New York Times's Emma G. Fitzsimmons, the New York City Council is considering a limit on the number of ride-sharing vehicles in the city. Why this would be big: It would make New York the first major American city to put limits on ride-sharing services. https://nyti.ms/2mO6cx5